Comments on Julie Gillies - Just a Woman Who Believed God: I Know I Should Pray More, But...

Julie, you must have read my mind for this post. ...

2009-09-27T07:18:07.088-04:00

Julie, you must have read my mind for this post.

I made Bible reading a mandatory part of my day a long time ago--so long that on the odd days I miss it, I feel like I lost a limb. But prayer time? Boy, do I struggle with that--and it was causing me a LOT of guilt.

I have a running conversation with God all day long, it seems. I DO pray when driving, walking, doing mundane chores--but I was under the impression that must not "count", since it wasn't mandated time. I'm feeling a little better knowing that I'm not the only one who prays in silent moments throughout the day.

I am grateful to say that I have a prayer-place at school: my storage closet. It's quite roomy. I pray for students there, and for our school, and for myself. Yes folks--I am a public school teacher. :)

And I love your idea for immediate prayer. I'm going to employ that right away: instead of, "I will pray for you", "Can I pray for your right now?" I cannot WAIT for God to give me the opportunity to do that for and with someone. I know He will!

May God bless you richly on this day of worship and rest, Julie.

So much about prayer is just being intentional abo...

2009-09-25T18:45:09.782-04:00

So much about prayer is just being intentional about recognizing that God is there in EVERYTHING! Too often, I feel like we create this "event" to "summon God" into our presence. Well, it just doesn't work like that. He knows our every thought, after all!!

But, when we focus on Him, it's the start of gearing up our hearts to worship Him. When our "wellspring" has been filled, we can, with confidence, pray whatever is on our hearts, knowing that He will hear us.

No matter what, no matter for whom, but with Who do we begin?

Praying without ceasing really can be a frame of mind if we choose to make it one. Thanks for the tips, Julie!

I'm so sorry I'm late getting here. I read this th...

2009-09-24T22:34:01.005-04:00

I'm so sorry I'm late getting here. I read this the other day, but didn't have time to comment. :-(

I can really relate to what you wrote and am going to soak in some of your suggestions. I feel like my prayer life is ever-evolving. I have so far to go, but am thankful I have experienced the power of prayer...and the power of the Spirit...in my life.

Thanks Julie for your example, your faithfulness and your conviction.

Blessings, my friend,
Kelli

I have definitely found that I need to pray immedi...

2009-09-24T17:58:12.073-04:00

I have definitely found that I need to pray immediately when I hear a need. If I say, oh, I'll pray for that... I sometimes forget especially on the phone. :O)

Incredible and practical wisdom, sister!

2009-09-24T10:40:23.445-04:00

Incredible and practical wisdom, sister!

I love these suggestions, Julie. The best part of ...

2009-09-24T09:34:48.957-04:00

I love these suggestions, Julie. The best part of my day is my ride to work and back home, because they tend to be two long conversations with God.

Great reminder to me to pray throughout the day. I...

2009-09-23T21:31:10.036-04:00

Great reminder to me to pray throughout the day. I start out with a bang in the morning and fizzle out by night. Thanks!

Great ideas for praying. I do the mindless activit...

2009-09-23T12:18:31.263-04:00

Great ideas for praying. I do the mindless activity thing a lot. Also, I enjoy prayer walks.

I say my morning prayers in the bus. That's the on...

2009-09-22T20:18:31.224-04:00

I say my morning prayers in the bus. That's the only quiet time I have. Then throughout the day, I give thanks, especially when I feel his hand in helping me get out of needy situations whether its work or family. I pray when I hear the fire engine siren too. Taken note of your list, will do that too.
Thanks Bless you.

A lifestyle of prayer...so good to just be able to...

2009-09-22T18:46:18.746-04:00

A lifestyle of prayer...so good to just be able to speak to the Father about anything and everything at any time we want to. What a blessed way to live!

Great practical advice Julie. And something I'm s...

2009-09-22T12:04:07.538-04:00

Great practical advice Julie. And something I'm sorry to say I needed to be reminded of.

On another note, more of a prayer request I guess - please pray for me as the marketing process of my book becomes real. We have a meet the author event on Friday and a newspaper interview coming out tomorrow. I just keep praying God would give me the words and He would get the glory.

Blessings and thanks to you, Jill

I've been seek God on this very subject. Wanting m...

2009-09-22T06:11:00.147-04:00

I've been seek God on this very subject. Wanting my prayer time to be deeper, to be reminded of the things I should be praying about.

Thanks!

picked you for an award :)

2009-09-21T16:27:38.596-04:00

picked you for an award :)

What great wisdom Julie! Thanks for sharing! I al...

2009-09-21T16:04:38.287-04:00

What great wisdom Julie! Thanks for sharing!

I also can't believe that you talked about dogs doing their business... AWESOME!!!

You are spot on, Julie! To better pray, I too oft...

2009-09-21T15:26:37.765-04:00

You are spot on, Julie!

To better pray, I too often need to simply shut up and get in a quiet place to listen.

But mostly, I need to "Just Do It!"

Indeed, I follow many of these same practices. I a...

2009-09-21T11:17:14.123-04:00

Indeed, I follow many of these same practices. I also have a little note posted on my computer, reminding me to pray BEFORE I made an administrative decision (or ans answer an email) not AFTER. Most of the time, it works.

Great post Julie. Someone once told me that STOP...

2009-09-21T10:58:43.316-04:00

Great post Julie. Someone once told me that STOP means to Stop To Offer Prayer. It always reminds me to not just say I'll do it, but pray right then with the person. There's no time like the present!

Sometimes I imagine Jesus sitting there, with His ...

2009-09-21T05:55:04.595-04:00

Sometimes I imagine Jesus sitting there, with His head in His hand and tapping His fingers with the other, smiling, waiting His turn to speak to me. I love that we get to have this most awesome friend that knows us completely. I love that we don't have to hide anything and that we couldn't if we tried. I love that He hears all our prayers. I love that He is My Father, My Friend and My Teacher.
Thanks for a great post!
God Bless You!

Awesome tips on prayer. I love it!

2009-09-21T04:17:04.470-04:00

Awesome tips on prayer. I love it!

Hi Julie, What a beautiful post...so well written ...

2009-09-21T01:11:16.478-04:00

Hi Julie,
What a beautiful post...so well written and easy for us all to remember...

I always have an on going conversation with Jesus thoughout my day. I go to HIM with love in my heart, smiles on my face and also when I may become a little stressed.
He is my refuge always. Jesus is my best friend. We can always count on HIM for everything.
Best wishes and may you continue to inspire others for the Lord...

K. Frangeskos
at Jesus Knows You Best

Warfare. Please say a prayer for me. Sweet dream...

2009-09-20T21:47:52.353-04:00

Warfare.

Please say a prayer for me.

Sweet dreams.

Julie, wonderful reminder. The attitude of prayer....

2009-09-20T21:10:21.247-04:00

Julie, wonderful reminder. The attitude of prayer. Someone also told me, to not get upset about stopping or slowing down at school zones, but rather, let it be a prayer zone for the kids you see.

I read some of your past posts. I'm sorry about all physical problems going on. I know God can handle things, but it's still tough.

Blessings to you and your family

I do that too! I pray in the shower, cooking, cle...

2009-09-20T20:35:42.959-04:00

I do that too! I pray in the shower, cooking, cleaning, sitting on the front porch, driving the car, almost everywhere. I try to set aside a special time, but that does not always work.
Great post.

Pray without ceasing...I know this is crazy but yo...

2009-09-20T18:19:10.853-04:00

Pray without ceasing...I know this is crazy but your list made me think of the book 'Green Eggs and Ham'. There is nowhere you could not eat them and the same applies to prayer. I have conversations with God throughout my day during my daily routine. He lets me know He is there. Speaking of prayer, I pray your son is doing well after his surgery and healing is fast.

I love this. With busy schedules, it always seems ...

2009-09-20T18:06:23.713-04:00

I love this. With busy schedules, it always seems like there's no time to sit down and pray. But if I pray while I'm out and about, my whole life becomes a prayer or a prayer opportunity.